Nothing beats a good clean up and this week we decided to give the site just that. So what better smurf to discuss than Artist Smurf. Artist Smurf can be found holding two paintbrushes and a paint palette in his right hand while holding a raised paint brush in his left hand.
I recall when I was first collecting smurfs, I found Artist one of those confusing smurfs as it was also used as a Super Smurf; Artist with Easel #40239. It wasn’t until I started collecting smurfs based on their markings and flicking through old catalogues did it make more sense. For some of you this may not be a big deal but I like to know the origins of my smurfs that make up my collection.
#20089 Artist Smurf – adding the final touches to his masterpiece
Artist Smurf was sold by Bully between 1976 to 1979 and then 1980 to 1984 by Schleich. In around 1979 Schleich won back the rights to produce all the smurf figurines. It is interesting to note though that Schleich did not change the Bully markings on the smurfs until late 1984. Possibly something in an agreement made between Bully and Schleich. With this in mind, Artist Smurf is typically found only with Bully markings. I have seen a picture of this Smurf with Schleich markings but this is considered very very rare.
Artist Smurf was as never sold in the USA as a regular smurf but only as a Super Smurf, Artist with Easel between 1984 to 1986. After this time, these moulds were later sold in Europe with blocked out Hong Kong markings. As a general rule you should never find Artist with Easel with Bully markings because Bully never made Super Smurfs.
Artist Smurf or Painter Smurf?
It is not unusual for people to get the Artist and Painter Smurfs confused. Similar names and activities but the big difference is Painter Smurf is right handed and Artist is left handed. Of course the true artist of all the smurfs would have to be Peyo, creator of the blue little guys.
I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on Artist Smurf or any other smurf that tickles your fancy
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
Hey Kath, Great post. Your knowledge keeps me on my toes and learning more about these blue little guys. Just for variations, there’s probably lots of different colour dots on the easel that he’s holding. Not sure how many different ones.
Cheers